Page 50 of Promise of Punishment

“What do you need from me?”

“Until I know the extent of what happened, I need to keep her safe. I owe her that much.” I dust a leaf from my dark pants.

“How is that?”

“I promised her I’d kill her dad in return for her saving me. He abused her and her mum, but I never did because I thought she was safe, coveted by my father in one of his estates. That’s what I was told at the time, and it wasn’t true. From what I’ve learned, Fable and her mum ended up right back in America, broke, and on the run from her horrible dad.”

“Sounds terrible,” he replies, tone dry, “but I still don’t know why you owe her anything.”

“Her dad found them and brutally killed Fable’s mum. Now she’s on her own, and someone is after her.”

“Bloody hell.”

“You get it now?”

“I do.” He lets out a heavy sigh. “Where’s her dad?”

“Convicted for the murder and in a Psychiatric facility.”

“Who do you think is after her?”

“I don’t know. Yet. But listen, she doesn’t know I know any of this. She worked at Hellfire this weekend through a friend who I employ there. But she only knows me as one of the Lords. You know how we keep things here.”

“What are the odds of her getting a job at the place you bought with her in mind?”

“It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I keep her safe. I can do that at Hellfire, but she’s returning to your mansion to put in her notice tomorrow.”

“She’s quitting?” he says with surprise. “I wasn’t aware there was a problem.”

“There isn’t.” I prop my elbow on the armrest. “She changes jobs quickly. My guess is because of who’s after her. I think that’s why she wants to work at Hellfire. It’s well protected, she can live in the mansion, and her friend is there.”

“And you want me to send her back immediately. Emery won’t like this. She’ll want to know what’s going on and probably want to do something for Fable. She likes her.”

I’m thankful Emery hired her, or else I never would have known what Fable has been going through, but I can’t have her involved. “You could handle it and lie to her.”

“I don’t lie to my wife. Not anymore. Not after what happened. You know that.”

“I remember.” I was part of the reason. “That’s long gone now, along with your balls,” I tease. My once-ruthless best friend and business partner is whipped in every way.

“I can’t wait for the day a woman gets hold of yours.”

“That’ll never happen.”

“And yet, you’re running circles to make sure this little housekeeper is under your watch, at your estate, where you hold all the cards.”

“To protect her.”

“What do you plan to do to the person who’s after her?”

Kill him. I don’t say that out loud. I don’t say anything.

“That’s what I thought,” Lachlan replies, knowing exactly what I plan to do.

“I can’t get out of the meeting at the London office, or I’d find a way to handle this myself. A meeting you’re supposed to be at with me.” I remind him.

“I can’t leave town when Emery isn’t feeling well.”

Like I said—whipped. “Maybe she’s pregnant.” I don’t know why my mind went there.